Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1940
Biography
Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.
Found in 98 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mrs Henry Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs Henry Joachim. Covering letter for two canons. Holograph signed, with two canons, with envelope, and descriptive note.
Letter to Mrs Holman Hunt from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1906
Letter, [1906], Surrey, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Mrs Holman Hunt. Plea for subscription to concert series. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Mrs. Jekyll from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Jekyll. Accepting an invitation on 23rd July. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mrs. Rollo Russell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 December 1901
Letter, 20 December 1901, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs Rollo Russell. Thanking Mrs Russell for playing a part in allowing Tovey to become close to the Dunroslein children. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mrs Rollo Russell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Rollo Russell. Criticism of a work. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mrs Rollo Russell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Rollo Russell. Describing time spent with Joachim, and discussion of a ms.. Typescript copy.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 August 1915
Letter, 24 August 1915, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Asking if Denham can do anything to free William Strecker from an internment camp, discussion of the Germans and Germany. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 May 1908
Letter, 1 May 1908, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lord Richard Denham. Arranging concert dates and programmes. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Concerned with correct advertising and dealings with the press. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 18 October 1917
Letter, 18 October 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Requesting that Trevelyan encourage and inspire Tovey to finish his opera. Holograph signed.